Top 10 Signs You Will Win Disability Benefits

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be an overwhelming process filled with uncertainty. While approval is never guaranteed, certain factors can significantly strengthen your case and improve your chances of success. Understanding these positive indicators can help you assess the strength of your claim and identify areas where you might need to gather additional evidence.

1. You Have Enough Work Credits

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have contributed to the Social Security system through payroll taxes for a sufficient period.

The work credit requirement depends on your age when you become disabled:

• Generally, you need 40 credits total, with 20 earned in the last 10 years
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits
• Each quarter you work and pay Social Security taxes earns you one credit
• In 2025, you earn one credit for each $1,810 in covered earnings

If you’ve consistently worked and paid into the Social Security system before becoming disabled, you’ve likely met this fundamental requirement. Without sufficient work credits, your SSDI claim will be denied regardless of your medical condition’s severity.

2. Your Condition Meets or Equals a Blue Book Listing

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a manual called the “Blue Book” that lists impairments considered severe enough to prevent work. When your medical condition precisely matches one of these listings, it significantly streamlines the approval process.

Your chances of approval increase when:

• Your diagnosis exactly matches a listed impairment
• Your medical tests and symptoms meet the specific criteria described for that listing
• Your medical records use terminology that aligns with Blue Book descriptions

Even if your condition doesn’t exactly match a listing, you may qualify under what’s called “medical equivalence” if your impairment is equally severe to a listed condition. Having a listed condition or its equivalent provides the clearest path to disability approval.

3. Your Disability Prevents Work for at Least 12 Months

Social Security defines disability as an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Strong indicators your condition meets this duration requirement include:

• Medical records documenting your condition has already persisted for nearly a year
• Doctor’s prognosis stating your limitations will last at least 12 months
• A condition that is progressive or has no effective treatment options
• Multiple failed treatment attempts showing the long-term nature of your disability

The SSA won’t approve claims for temporary conditions, even if they’re severe. Demonstrating your disability’s long-term nature is essential for approval.

4. You Are Over Age 50

The SSA recognizes that older workers face greater challenges adapting to new types of employment. Through what’s known as the “Medical-Vocational Guidelines” or “Grid Rules,” the standards for disability approval become more lenient as applicants age.

Your chances improve if:

• You’re over 50 with limited education and no transferable skills
• You’re over 55 with a history of unskilled or semi-skilled work
• You have physical limitations that prevent returning to past work
• You lack education or training for sedentary employment

These age-related rules acknowledge the practical difficulties older workers face in transitioning to new careers while dealing with significant medical conditions. For many applicants over 50, these guidelines provide a pathway to approval even when they don’t meet a Blue Book listing.

5. You Have Strong, Well-Documented Medical Evidence

The cornerstone of any successful disability claim is comprehensive medical documentation. The SSA bases decisions primarily on objective medical evidence rather than subjective complaints.

Your medical evidence is particularly compelling when it includes:

• Regular treatment records from specialists relevant to your condition
• Objective test results (MRIs, X-rays, lab work, functional capacity evaluations)
• Detailed treatment notes documenting symptoms, limitations, and response to treatment
• A clear progression of your condition over time
• Records from multiple healthcare providers supporting the same diagnosis and limitations

The more thorough and consistent your medical documentation, the stronger your disability claim becomes. Gaps in treatment or inconsistent medical findings can significantly weaken your case.

6. You Are Consistent with Treatment

The SSA expects disability applicants to follow prescribed treatments and make reasonable efforts to improve their condition. Consistent treatment demonstrates both the severity of your condition and your commitment to recovery.

Positive indicators include:

• Regular appointments with appropriate specialists
• Compliance with medication regimens
• Participation in recommended therapies
• Willingness to try reasonable treatments
• Documentation of treatments attempted, even when unsuccessful

If you’ve declined recommended treatments, be prepared to explain why. Valid reasons might include religious beliefs, inability to afford treatment, or unacceptable risks given your specific situation. Without such explanations, treatment non-compliance often leads to claim denial.

7. Your Job Was Physically Demanding

The nature of your previous work significantly impacts your disability claim. Those transitioning from physically demanding occupations often have stronger cases, especially when their impairments directly conflict with their job requirements.

Your claim is strengthened when:

• Your past work required heavy lifting, prolonged standing, or other physical demands
• Your medical condition specifically prevents activities required in your career
• You lack education or transferable skills for sedentary work
• Your work history shows you only performed physically demanding jobs

The SSA must determine whether you can return to your past work or adjust to other employment. When your limitations clearly prevent you from performing physically demanding previous jobs and you lack qualifications for less physical work, approval becomes more likely.

8. Your Doctor Supports Your Claim

Few factors influence disability decisions more than the opinions of your treating physicians. Doctors who have managed your care over time have unique insight into your condition and limitations.

Doctor support proves most valuable when:

• Your physician explicitly states you cannot work full-time in any occupation
• Their opinion provides specific functional limitations (e.g., cannot lift more than 10 pounds, must rest every 2 hours)
• Their assessment directly connects your medical condition to your work limitations
• They complete formal SSA forms like Residual Functional Capacity assessments
• Their opinion is consistent with their treatment notes and objective findings

While the SSA makes the final determination, supportive opinions from treating specialists who have long-term knowledge of your condition carry substantial weight in the decision process.

9. You Precisely Match SSA’s Guidelines

The Social Security disability determination process follows specific rules and procedures. Applications that carefully address all requirements and provide information in formats familiar to SSA evaluators often receive more favorable consideration.

Your application is strengthened when:

• All forms are completely and accurately filled out
• Your conditions are described using terminology recognized by the SSA
• Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment clearly shows your limitations
• You’ve provided all requested documentation by specified deadlines
• Your work history forms detail job requirements relevant to your disability claim

Understanding and following SSA guidelines demonstrates your claim’s legitimacy and makes it easier for disability examiners to approve your application without requesting additional information or clarification.

10. You Have Legal Representation

Statistics consistently show that applicants represented by experienced disability attorneys have significantly higher approval rates, particularly at the hearing level. Professional representatives understand the intricacies of the disability system and know how to present your case effectively.

An attorney or advocate strengthens your claim by:

• Identifying the strongest legal basis for your disability approval
• Gathering and organizing the most relevant medical evidence
• Preparing you for consultative examinations and hearings
• Spotting and addressing potential weaknesses in your application
• Communicating effectively with SSA staff and administrative law judges

While representation doesn’t guarantee approval, it significantly improves your chances, especially during appeals. Most disability attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only collect fees if you win your case.

Evaluating Your Disability Claim Strength

The more of these positive indicators that apply to your situation, the stronger your disability case is likely to be. However, every application is unique, and the SSA evaluates each claim individually based on its specific circumstances.

Even with several favorable factors, approval is never guaranteed. Conversely, lacking some of these indicators doesn’t mean your claim will be denied. The disability determination process is complex, and multiple pathways to approval exist.

If you’re unsure about your claim’s strength or need assistance with any aspect of the disability application process, professional guidance can make a significant difference in your outcome.

Get Expert Help With Your Disability Claim

At Lemoine Law Firm, we specialize in helping clients navigate the complicated Social Security Disability system. Our experienced team can evaluate your case, identify its strengths and potential weaknesses, and develop strategies to maximize your chances of approval.

Whether you’re preparing an initial application or appealing a denial, professional representation can significantly increase your likelihood of success.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let our experienced team help you secure the benefits you deserve.